Bought/Sold

Blooms in small bowls make for a simple tablescape

Collecting various sizes of glass vessels holdingindividual blooms results in an easy and impactful tablescape.

Photograph by: MNStudio
, Fotolia.com

Q: Dear Sam, Can you please explain floral etiquette?

I just finished making over my wraparound balcony - the scheme is modern. I have several faux boxwood planters. I want to keep things looking simple. I'm having a dinner party, and I'm wondering if I need flowers or if candles are enough? A few weeks ago I was at a backyard summer party and the aroma from the gardens was so strong that I had a hard time eating anything. I always feel like large floral arrangements will seem like I'm trying too hard. I've heard many designers say flowers are a must. Should I float flowers in a vase with water? What do you think of potted mums or herbs? Should I do a single bloom like a large lily or peony?

Thanks very much, Judith

A: Dear Judith, "Freesia, do I smell freesia?" (Do you remember that line from The Devil Wears Prada?) I feel the same way about lilies. I can't stand the smell. To answer one of your many floral etiquette questions, take a pass on the lilies. Yes to flowers. Even though you already have boxwood planters. Flowers will soften the concrete and enhance the garden terrace feeling you're trying to create with the boxwood. And yes, avoid flowers that are so smelly that they overtake what you are serving for dinner. Another problem to be aware of with smelly lilies is that the pollen from the stamens will get on your guests' sleeves as they reach across the dinner table for the salt. And as an aside, lilies should never be planted along walkways or stairwells because their stamens will ruin your guests' clothes. Can you tell I'm not a fan of lilies?

Giant floral arrangements - think weddings and bar mitzvahs - will feel overdone on your balcony, but two or three mid-size arrangements of the non-stinky variety on the dining table won't feel overdone. A great tip I learned from floral designer Michael Pellegrino of Teatro Verde is an arrangement should be no taller than your forearm.

You don't need a formal arrangement. Michael has a keep-it-casual mantra when it comes to outdoor entertaining. So pull those drinking glasses, jam jars or small bowls out of the cupboard and fill each with a single bloom. Peonies are currently out of season. According to Michael, when it comes to single bloom arrangements, "Hydrangea are always available, dahlias are just starting and garden roses are in bloom." He also suggest orchids, gerbera and lotus float well in bowls, and for petite posies, try thistles, delphiniums, ferns, oak leaves and branches with, believe it or not, raspberries.

If you love mums, save them for the fall. Autumnal-coloured ones look great in small terracotta pots.

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Househunting Newsletter

Receive the latest in real estate news, decorating and renovating tips every two weeks in the househunting.ca newsletter.